So the truck's all torn apart, and getting sanded and painted in most spots like the frame rails and the underside of the bed. I got my Bilstein 7100 shocks and weld on tabs in the mail from Kartek...waiting for some steel from the place I get it to weld/bolt it to the frame to start welding the shock mounts on the chassis and axle. Here's some pics:

 

More updates...I've posted some photos and info on dezertrangers.com and don't want to post the exact same thing on here but here's a link to the thread on there http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/truck-talk/86889.htm

 

All back together:

 

Is there any advantage mounting the shocks like that?

 

no.

 

Yes and no. My goal was to get the maximum amount of travel out of the rear end, which is limited by the driveshaft c/v angle and tranny x-member at the tranny, at about 17" of travel, limited by my limit straps. I want to keep full use of the bed and did not yet want to use a bedcage to mount the shocks. The only option was to mount the shocks as I did so I didn't have to put them through the bed. I know the travel angle of the shocks to the travel of the axle is not great for performance, but it's all I have to work with right now until I decide to go through the bed. I don't live near any desert so my truck won't get any "real" use any time soon to justify putting in a bedcage and cutting holes for the shocks in the bed.

 

My leaf springs are way too worn and stiff; new springs to come within the next few weeks and pictures to follow. I'm going to a local spring shop and having them make me a set of OEM springs with extra arch. I have drop-flip shackle hangers and longer shackles so extra spring arch won't get me much of a lift if any. I also plan on taking out my OEM lift blocks and adding custom shock cage/mounts and mounting the shocks on the leaf perch instead of the axle.

 

Fabbed a rear spare tire / bumper and installing my 12" shocks through the bed to a 2" tube connected to the frame. Where the shock is mounted, the rear axle can travel 17" from the frame to the strap. Up next is to do the passenger side shock mount and try and weld back in panels on the bed where I cut out for the shock room. And, then new leaf springs.
The spare tire mount has a pivot so I can pull out a 5/8" pin and lower the rack to access the bed through the tailgate. I plan on putting my tonneau cover back on once complete. I also mounted the license plate and a running and brake light. The weight of the mount and spare tire is nice on the hitch because it puts a lot of weight far out from the spring and makes the ride noticeably smoother in the rear. I'm sure the shock mount helped a lot too from my old ghetto mount.

 

pretty extreme shock angle, or if you keep it you could use smaller stroke shocks if you wanted. Also how are those tubes attached just the bolt or are they welded too? You plan on doing any other bracing, at least something to triangulate it back to the frame or tube between the two. you could make the crossbar removable if you're worried about using the bed for hauling something.

 

It's using all of the 12" of stroke of the shock in the position that it's mounted. If anything, I could use longer stroke shocks and mount the top of it higher, but I want to keep everything below the top of the bed so I can use my tonneau cover. The angle of the shocks will work for my truck as a daily driver...If I ever get to move to a desert area I'll go more involved.
Yes, the tube is welded to the frame as well as the bolt...I just wanted the bolt there to get it sucked up against the frame to weld it but I'm keeping the bolt in there too. I may weld or bolt a cross member on the tubes coming up from the bed. The tube I used is 2" OD and a very thick wall so I'm not too concerned about it bending under use, but I may run another tube down to the frame to make a brace for it if need be.

 

yeah I'd at least run a kicker down to the frame if you got some extra tube lay'n around. just to be safe

 

if your already through the bed, build a cage. its not like you can haul something now.